Buying Laptops - The basic terminology
May 29, 2006
What is computer hardware?
All those components of computer system that are tangible and on which either input could be given (like keyboard and mouse etc.) or output could be received (like monitor and printer etc.) are known as computer hardware.
The term computer hardware includes following parts in computer system like: keyboard, mouse, floppy drive, hard disk, CD Drive, DVD rewriter, Printers, scanners, RAM etc.
But do the hardware alone makes the computer system not it is wrong.
What is Software?
Software is a term used to denote the programs which run on a computer..essentially, it makes the hardware work and perform certain tasks. Hardware and without software is life less that means it is same as like a skeleton without life. To make a computer system fully functional software is essential with the hardware. The very basic software that is required for making computer to work in a friendly manner and making it to support all the user activities is operating system.
What is an Operating System?
Operating system is the software that brings life to computer system. Operating system itself does not do any thing but it provides an environment in which other software programs could execute. It provides an interface between the user and the computer hardware. It provides guidelines to user on how to work on computer. Operating system is the software that makes other hardware work in an efficient manner.
Example of an operating system is Windows – which most of us are familiar with.
What is RAM?
Random Access Memory : As a rule of thumb, the more the RAM, the more programs computer can run at the same time – and faster it is. Gone are the days where the 128 and 256 RAMs are sufficient. Nowadays the programs we run on the computer are bigger and with the growth of broadband internet and people gaming online, atleast 512 MB RAM is what is needed for a fast performace.
There will be more to come when I have time..
